ID.4

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
SUV

There have been conflicting reports regarding what the official name will be of Volkswagen's upcoming all-electric three-row crossover. For several months, the ID.6 nameplate was said to be assigned to the production-spec version of the ID. Roomzz concept that debuted at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. And then last December a new report claimed a new EV sedan will bear the name.

But in all likelihood, the crossover will be called the ID.6 X and today a few leaked images of the production vehicle have appeared online, via Reddit. There's no question the vehicle you're looking at is larger than the VW ID.4, the two-row crossover currently on sale in the US and some overseas markets.

The ID.6 X can definitely accommodate a third-row of seats. Both crossovers, however, share the same MEB platform. The Tesla Model X has an optional third-row, so it'd make sense for VW to sell the ID.6 X in the US, right? Wrong.

Late last year, VW brand CEO Ralf Brandstatter confirmed the ID.6 X will be for China only, at least initially. The automaker hasn't completely ruled out a North American market introduction at a later date. But why wait? After all, three-row crossovers, in general, are extremely popular and the ID.6 X is expected to have an 82-kWh battery and nearly 300 miles of range.

It sounds like a winning formula to us, but the problem could be pricing. The ID.4 begins at around $41,000 before tax credits and a $35k or so base version is expected later this year, but the more powerful GTX-trimmed variant is also on its way. Don't expect it to cost less than $50k. Where would the ID.6 X fit in, pricing wise? Tesla has no problem charging Model X buyers at least $80,000, but that's a no-go option for VW. Customers could simply buy an Audi e-tron SUV instead for that amount.

Expect to see Volkswagen unveil the ID.6 X sometime in the coming months.